Nuclear Weapons A Moral Issue

May 27, 1986

CHARLEY REESE, in a column, said, ''The question of nuclear weapons is a secular subject.'' Church leaders of many denominations disagree. The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church says, ''To decide whether or when or how to wage a war assuredly raises important moral questions.'' I am convinced that the nuclear war issue is the most urgent moral issue confronting humanity. If the human family does not find a way to prevent nuclear annihilation, all other issues are irrelevant!

''In Defense of Creation: The Nuclear Crisis and a Just Peace'' is the title of a pastoral letter by the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church. It is a study document, carefully formulated during two years of intensive study and consultation with witnesses from government, the military, universities, research institutes and leaders of other denominations.

Reese says anti-nuclear people do not have an alternative. They do. The major purpose of the pastoral letter is to generate intelligent dialogue and consideration of the alternatives. Reese implies that the bishops ''were suggesting that Americans surrender their freedom to the Soviet Union.'' That is preposterous. He questions the patriotism of the bishops. It is precisely their loyalty to their fellow citizens and their loyalty to the Gospel of the Prince of Peace that motivates them to warn against the potential for nuclear self- destruction and the destruction of all of God's creation.

We have had tragic reminders at NASA and Chernobyl that human technology is not infallible. The people who sound the warnings are not always appreciated, but their loyalty is of the highest order. The bishops' study document merits very careful and prayerful consideration.